Vaporizer



Feb. 14, 1939. G. c. FLINT 2,146,808

VAPORIZER Filed Oct. 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Feb, 14, 1939PATENT OFFICE VAPORIZER George 0. Flint, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to79410 Systems Equipment Company, a corporation of Illinois ApplicationOctober 1,

8 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanism for producing a vapor, mist orexceedingly fine spray and discharging the same into a space or against,or in the vicinity of, a moving web or mass of 5 material to moisten orcondition the material or to control the humidity of the space for anydesired purpose.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the kind describedwherein the density ll! of the vapor and the velocity of its dischargemay be conveniently adjusted and controlled to suit the requirements andconditions in each case.

A further object is. if desired, to provide for .3 automaticallychanging the velocity or the density of the vapor under certainpredetermined conditions or at certain times or periods without changingthe normal adjustment of the controlling means.

31) A further object is to arrange so that if desired all operatingadjustments upon each of the several units or sections of my device maybe made entirely independent of the remaining sections or units of thedevice.

A further object is to provide convenient means for changing the volumeof the vapor discharged from the several sections without in any mannerchanging the relative density of the vapor discharged from saidsections.

Further objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the artfrom the following description.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like or similar referencecharacters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my device shown in operation upon a web ofcloth, paper or the like;

Figure 2 is an enlarged transversed section taken substantially on line2-2 of Fig. 1;

40 I Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the reservoir andcontrol mechanism of my device with associated elements takensubstantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Figure 5 is a transversed section of the parts shown in Fig. 4 takensubstantially on line 55 of Fig. 4, and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal central section of a form of syphon jet whichI have found very satisfactory and desirable for use with my device.

In the form shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, my vaporizer is arrangedin operative relation to a web of cloth, paper or other flexiblematerial which is arranged to move at a sub- 1935, Serial No. 43,008

stantially uniform speed while the same is being operated upon by mydevice. As shown, a control cabinet 2 formed of any suitable form, sizeor material is mounted in a convenient position in the vicinity of theweb I and connected by any suitable means such as copper tubing 9 and 9'or the like, to heads 3-3 mounted upon a rotatable tubular member 4extending across the web and suported as at 4--4' at its extremitiesbeyond the margins of the web. As shown, air under suitable pressure issupplied to the mechanism in the control cabinet 2 by a pipe 5, and thefluid to be employed upon the web is provided by a pipe 6. In the formshown the several heads 3 are suitably spaced along the member 4 and areeach supoprted in position by an air pipe 1 and a liquid pipe 8extending to the rotatable member 4.

In the form shown, a block II having an opening It" therethrough isprovided within the member 4 for each air pipe I and the end of eachpipe I is screw-threaded and extends through the wall of the member 4and engages the threaded wall of the opening ll while a nut I4 upon thepipe is provided to firmly clamp the wall of the member 4 to the block,suitable means being provided to prevent leakage between the block andthe pipe.

Similar blocks l2 each provided with an opening l2 are provided for theliquid pipes 8 and are each clamped to the Wall of the member 4 by a nutl5 upon the pipes 8 in all respects similar to the connections describedfor the pipes 1.

In the form shown, also suitable independent tubes 99 are provided forthe blocks II and l2, each tube 9 being screw-threaded into the openingII in a block H and each tube 9 into an opening I 2'.

The blocks H and I2 are also provided with nuts l6 and I1 respectivelyfor cooperating with the tubes 9 and 9 to secure rigid fluidtight jointsbetween the respective tubes and blocks.

The several tubes 9-9' extend within the member 4 to its end adjacentthe control cabinet 2 and thence as shown to the cabinet and through asuitable opening in the cabinet wall and are each attached to themechanism within the cabinet.

The heads-3-3 may be of any suitable form or construction adapted toproduce a suction or syphon action in the liquid tube 8 by the passageof air at sufficient velocity through the head, so that when air undersuitable pressure is supplied through the pipe 1, suitable velocity isprovided and a predetermined suction is produced whereby. fluid will bedrawn into the head 3 through the pipe 8.

In the preferred construction shown, the heads 3-'3 are so mounted uponthe pipes 1 and 8 that the union nuts l8 and I! connecting the head tothe respective pipes may be loosened and the head turned to any desiredposition and thereafter rigidly locked in the desired position upon thepipes by again tightening these nuts.

In the form shown, the heads 3 each comprise a body part 20 as shown inFigure 6, having oppositely disposed externally screw-threaded hubs 2|and 22 adapted to receive the nuts l8 and I9 respectively. A centralduct 24 is provided in the hub 2! extending to a chamber 25 in the bodyat substantially right angles to the duct 24. One end of the chamber 25is closed by a threaded plug 28, and the opposite end extends into closeproximity to the end of the part 21, preferably having a comparativelythin wall at the end of the chamber and a plurality of small openings as28 and 29 extending from the chamber through the wall.

As shown, the openings 28 are slightly larger than the opening 28 whichis shown approximately in axial alignment with the chamber. since it isfound in practice that because of the position of the opening 29 alarger amount of fluid will be discharged through an opening of a givensize so positioned than through the openings 28 which diverge slightlyfrom the central line of the chamber.

A cap 30 is provided and arranged to enclose the part 21 and theadjacent parts of the body 20 as shown, and is preferably attached tothe body 20 by a screw-threaded and inwardly flanged nut 33 engaging aprojecting flange 32 upon the cap. A pin 3| or other convenient meansupon the body 20 engages a radial groove or recess 34 upon the cap' toaccurately position the cap upon the body. As shown, the cap 30 isprovided with a plurality of holes 35, each preferably axially alignedwith the corresponding opening in the body part and preferably ofslightly larger diameter than the same, so that when air issues from theopenings 28 and 29 with suflicient velocity a very positive reduction inpressure is produced within the cap.

In the form shown a central passage 36 is provided in the hub 22 and alateral duct 31 extends from the inner end of the passage to the spacewithin the cap 38 adjacent the part 21 to permit fluid from the pipe 8to be drawn into the cap by the suction described and ejected throughthe openings 35.

Any suitable means may be provided to control the air and fluid passingthrough the pipes 9 and 9. In the form shown, the cabinet 2 is providedwith a plurality of lateral passages 40, one for each pipe 9, and eachpassage is provided with a plurality of lateral ducts or openings 44, 45and 45.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pipe 9 is attached N to each of theopenings 44 by a suitable connection 50, and the duct 45 is attached bya similar connection 5| to a vapor pipe 52 extending into the upperportion of the cabinet 2, while the duct 46 is attached by a somewhatsimilar connection 56 to a tubular member 53 extending upward throughthe cover plate 54 of the cabinet. The lower end of the member 53 isscrew-threaded as at 55 within the member 56 and the lower end of themember extends downward through the duct 45 so that the lower endprojects slightly into the lateral passage 40 and is there formed toserve as a valve seat. Suitable means, as for example, the openings 51,are provided in the wall of the tubular member 53 to permit any fluid inthe cabinet to enter the member and escape freely through the member 53into the lateral passage 40. The space between the lower end of theconnection 55 and the bottom of the opening into which the same issecured, is shown provided with suitable packing material 58 surroundingthe lower end of the tubular member 53 so that the fluid in the cabinetwill not escape into the passage past the lower god of the member 53. Inthe form shown, a pair of needle va ves 50 and iii are provided adaptedto cooperate with the duct 45 and the lower end of the member 53respectively, to control the passage through the vapor pipe 52 and thetubular member 53 and by their. adjustment determine the amount ofliquid and vapor drawn into the passage 40 by the suction of the pipe 3and thence discharged through the opening 44 to the pipe.

Any suitable means may be provided for controlling the supply of air tothe 'air pipe 9'. As shown, a longitudinal passage 62 directly connectedas indicated by Figures 4 and 5, to the air supply pipe 5, is providedin the side of the casing 2 opposite the passages 40 and atube 9'extends from the rotatable member 4 to the cabinet and is attached by aconnection 63 and passage 64 to the passage 62 and extends into themember 4 and is there attached to the pipe 1. A needle valve 65 isprovided to control the opening between the passage and the duct 62thereby the amount of air passing through the duct and thus by the tube9 and pipe 1 to the head 3.

In the preferred construction, a float valve 56 directly connected tothe liquid supply pipe 5 and having a float 51 is provided in thecabinet 2 adapted to control the fluid level in the cabinet and maintainthe same substantially constant.

In the preferred construction shown also suitable means are provided formaintaining the fluid in the cabinet at a'constant temperature. Asshown, an electric thermostat 7D is mounted upon one wall of the cabinetat substantially the upper level of the fluid in the cabinet and aheating element of any suitable form or construction H is provided andelectrically connected with the thermostat I0 and to the source ofelectric energy so that electric current to the heating element II willbe controlled by the thermostat and thus maintain the fluid in thecabinet at the desired temperature. When thus constructed as arranged,my improved device is provided with the necessary air and liquid supplyand connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, neither ofwhich is shown, and the needle valves controlling the flow of fluidthrough the pipes 9 and 9 are adjusted to secure the desired density aswell as velocity of the vapor as it issues from the heads 3, it beingobvious that the velocity of the jet may be independently controlled bythevolume of air permitted to pass the valve 65 into each pipe 8'. It isalso obvious that the density of the fluid or spray will be controlledby the position of the valves 60 and iii since the valve 6| controls theescape of fluid from the cabinet into the passage 40, and the needlevalve 50 controls the escape of vapor from the upper portion of thecabinet into the passage 40, whereby the mixture of vapor andfluid drawnfrom the passage 40 through the ill . tion 56, and the amount of liquidadmitted to opening 44 into the tube 9 and thence-to the several heads 3may be controlled as desired.

It is obvious that the temperature 01' the liquid 7 in the cabinet maybe employed to provide a vapor in the upper portion of the cabinet asdense or as attenuated as may be desired, from a very wet steam down toa very slight or almost imperceptible humidity; and that when such vaporis mixed with a positively controlled volume of fluid entering thepassage 40 through the member 53, the resulting vapor may be as dense oras attenuated as may be desired. It is obvious that when zle, said meansbeing separately controllable the device is suitably adjusted, changesin atmospheric humidity will tend to require changes in the volume ofvapor discharged from the several syphon jets. This is especially truewhere material is being prepared for some special process, such ascharging cloth with a glazing or stiffening material or when moisteningpaper to receive printed impressions or the like, and in such case thechanges in atmospheric humidity render it desirable to adjust the volumeof vapor being supplied to the moving web. For this purpose a bell crankI3 is provided at the upper end of each of the parts 58 and a bar I4 isprovided connecting the several bell cranks, so that by moving the bar14 longitudinally the member 53 will be partially rotated and thelongitudinal position of the member will also be changed by theoperation of the threaded portion in the conneceach of the passages 40will be altered as the member 53 is advanced or retracted from theneedle valve 6|.

Any suitable means may be provided, either manually operated orautomatically controlled by the humidity of the atmosphere, toautomatically adjust the position of the bar I4 and thus control theoperation of my device to suit the varying conditions which may arise inservice as well as in the various applications of my improvement, butthese accessories while of course desirable in the practical use of thedevice form no part of my present invention.

Having thus described my improvement, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in its embodiment without departingfrom the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself tothe exact form or construction shown.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of a syphon nozzle, a valvecontrolled means for supplying pressure fluid to said nozzle and aliquid and vapor mixture source; said source comprising means defining avapor space in open communication with a liquid space, heating meanswithin said liquid space, a mixing chamber connected to said nozzle andhaving valved communication with said liquid space and separate valvedcommunication with said vapor space;

2. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of a syphon nozzle, a valvecontrolled means for supplying pressure fluid to said nozzle and aliquid andvapor mixture source; said source comprising means defining avapor space in open communication with a liquid space, means forautomatically maintaining the size of each space, heating means withinsaid liquid space, a mixing chamber connected to said nozzle and havingvalved communication with said liquid space and separate valvedcommunication with said vapor space.

3. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of with for controlling thedensity and -quantity of said liquid and vapor mixture to said syphonnozvalved conduits to said liquid space and to said vapor space.

4. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of a row of nozzles, each ofsaid nozzles having a valve controlled means for supplying pressurefluid to said nozzle and a liquid and vapor mixture source; said sourcecomprising a common means defining a vapor space in open communicationwith a liquid space, heating means within said liquid space, a separatemixing chamber therein connected to each one of said nozzles and havingvalved communication with said liquid space and separate valvedcommunication with said vapor space.

5. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of a rotatable supportmember, a row of syphon nozzles mounted thereon, each of said nomleshaving a valve controlled means for supplying pressure fluid to saidnozzle and a liquid and vapor mixture source; said source comprising acommon means defining a vapor space in open communication with a liquidspace, heating means within said liquid space. 'a separate mixingchamber therein connected to each one of said nozzles-and having valvedcommunication with said liquid space and separate valved communicationwith said vapor space.

6. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of a syphon nozzle, a valvecontrolled means for supplying pressure fluid tosaid nozzle and a liquidand vapor mixture source; said source comprising means defining a vaporspace in open communication with a liquid space, heating means withinsaid liquid space, temperature control means associated with saidheating means, a mixing chamber connected to said nozzle and havingvalved communication with said liquid space and separate valvedcommunication with said vapor space.

'7. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of a plurality of syphonnozzles, a valve' controlled means for supplying pressure fiuid at eachoi said nozzles, and a common liquid and vapor mixture source for all ofsaid nozzles; said source comprising means defining a vapor space inopen communication with a liquid space, heating means within said liquidspace, an individual mixing chamber connected to each of said nozzlesand a single means associated with all of said mixing chambers forcontrolling the density and quantity or the liquid and vapor mixture toeach of said syphon nozzles.

8. A vaporizer comprising groups of mixing

